Grandma Purnell: Life in Billingham

How old were you when the 2nd world war started?
I was only 2 in 1939 when the war started. My father worked at "ICI" Billingham and as he worked in the oil works producing fuel for the war efforts, he didn't go to war as a soldier tofight, he helped in the home guard at nights to look after the patrol our square of houses, and made sure everyone was safe. Everone had to build emergencey shelters in their gardens, to use when there were air raids. The children wore "siren suits". children were also very scared of gas masks so mickey mouse masks were made.

Was your house bombed?
No but the Germans tried to bomb "ICI" which was only two miles away and they hit the railway station which was 1/2 mile away - all our windows were smashed! I was in my cot in my bedroom, and my cot was covered in glass, but i was not hurt and didn't even wake up.
Bombing happened most on cities and industrial areas.
People sent their child to the countryside where it was safer. It was very sad for the families to do this. Grandad got evacuated when he was 5 years old!
Cars could not be used and their batteries were stored in police stations. This was for security reasons. There was still public transport such as busses and trains. Signposts were taken down to confuse the enemy if they invaded the country.

Did Great Grandad mind not going to war?
He always felt guilty that he was allowed to be at home with his family and didn't experience tthe risks and fears of being a soldier. After the war had ended he was asked to go to scotland for 3 years, to help to start a new ICI factory there.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.